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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Arena Leme Hotel Rio de Janeiro Discounts & Reviews

Arena Leme Hotel Rio de Janeiro Reviews

Location 8/10: The furthest hotel from the Leme-Copacabana frontier. The Arena is the most serene, but far from sleepy, accommodation in a traditional neighbourhood where Art Deco flourishes continue to peer through the more modern apartment buildings. It overlooks one of the city’s few remaining ‘those in the know’ beaches, where the sands are less crowded and fishermen cast off the huge rock at its eastern edge. It is a glorious and always entertaining one-hour stroll to the far end of this famous sweep of sand, particularly pleasant on Sundays when the main road is closed to traffic. Several excellent restaurants and some lively bars are a short walk away.

Style & character 6/10: There is little in the way of designer flourishes to elevate the hotel from the everyday, and the oddly sparse rooftop deck would certainly benefit from a few more wooden loungers. The internal communal areas have a sophisticated finish, however, and the whole experience is as laid-back as you would hope for given the setting.

Service & facilities 6/10: The rooftop pool is a bonus although little has been done to maximise its appeal, making the beach opposite an even more attractive option for cooling off. The management takes its green credentials seriously, and shower water is treated and reused in the toilets. The staff are polite if far from chatty, but are knowledgeable about Leme and full of unclichéd recommendations when engaged.

Rooms 6/10: The corner rooms make the most of the hotel’s surroundings, looking out to the Leme rocks and Sugarloaf Mountain or the length of Copacabana Beach and the full ocean view (perfect for the New Year’s Eve firework show). Some effort has been made to bring a little local flavour, with panoramic photos capturing different Rio icons with varied success. Standard rooms and their bathrooms are small. The road can be noisy for those staying on the first five floors and the rear-facing accommodation misses out entirely on what elevates the Arena from the everyday.

Food & drink 6/10: The Sampaio restaurant, helmed by experienced chef and Rio native Cosme Clemente, may not be the most innovative, but the menu delivers dependably tasty Brazilian steaks and seafood, and the breakfast is a voyage of discovery in itself, a buffet laden with pastries, tropical fruits and breads.

Value for money 7/10: Double rooms from £160 in low season; and from £250 in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Access for guests with disabilities? Several rooms have been adapted for wheelchair users and access to the communal areas is straightforward.

Family-friendly? There may not be 'amenities galore' for kids staying at the Arena, but the friendly family atmosphere and beach entertainment on the doorstep more than makes up for it.